Get In Touch With History

The Blair County Historical Society is always pleased to host school groups, students, and educators of all ages and backgrounds.  What’s a field trip to Baker Mansion or Royer Mansion like? All students receive a guided tour of the homes led by our specially-trained docents. House tours are tailored to fit any grade-level and cover many historical topics. These programs allow for greater exploration of topics ranging from industrial, military, and social history.  Learn about the Baker and Royer Families as well as multiple layers of Blair County History.  
Student and Teacher Preparation:
  • Group tours should be scheduled at least one week in advance.  Call 814-942-3916 or email info@blairhistory.org to make an appointment or for more information and student admission rates. 
  • It is preferable that students have a contextual background in the historical period(s) they will be learning about the day of the trip.
  • Students should be briefed on the purpose of the trip and what to expect, as well as on the rules for behavior on the bus and at the  site.
  • Have you considered booking our Traveling Trunk prior to a trip?
  • Students and teachers can enjoy lunch at either Baker or Royer Mansions.  Educators and chaperones should bring trash bags and make sure their area is cleaned after eating.  Society staff or volunteers will see to disposal.  Royer Mansion has a picnic pavilion on site that is ideal for field trip lunches.
  • Divide the students into their groups before the field trip to make coordination on site easier for both and and for us.
  • Consider bringing students to our Special Events–most of which are open to the general public for free or reasonable prices.
  • Examine our Links & Resources page to look up educator tools.
On the Field Trip:
  • Bus parking is on Oak Lane parallel to the Mansion Park fence. 
  • Group leaders should check-in with museum staff upon arrival. Please keep students outside or on the bus until directed otherwise.
  • No indoor facilities are available for school groups to eat lunch at Baker Mansion.  Schools are responsible for cleaning up their trash.
  • No food, candy, gum, or liquids are allowed inside the mansions or any of the other exhibit areas. Food and drink may be consumed outside.
  • Indoor restrooms are available on site.  That said, if you are local, encourage students to use the restrooms at school before departing.
  • For mansion tours: No more than fifteen people per tour guide, including adults. No more than two student groups of fifteen people per group can tour in the mansion at any given time. Students and chaperones will be required to stay with their guide at all times in the mansion.  Unfortunately, due to the historic architecture of the buildings, handicap accessibility is limited.